The production company behind Poldark has confirmed paying it leads Eleanor Tomlinson and Aidan Turner different amounts, but defended its decision.

Demelza actress Tomlinson recently told Red magazine that she probably doesn't receive equal pay to her co-star Turner, before calling on the BBC to rectify the gender bias.

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'While at the beginning that might have been okay – he was a bigger star than me – now I don't think so,' she said.

'We're equal leads of the show, so I'd be pretty upset if the gap hadn't closed.'

BBC/Mammoth Screen/Robert Viglasky

Following Tomlinson's comments, Poldark producer Mammoth Screen defended its decision to pay Turner more than Tomlinson on the series.

The production company would not disclose the size of the disparity but reasoned that Turner is paid more because his title character Ross Poldark has 'significantly more screen time than any other character'.

A Mammoth Screen spokesperson told Digital Spy: 'Whilst we can't and won't disclose the details, we do pay Aidan Turner more for playing Ross Poldark as throughout all series Ross has significantly more screen time than any other character.'

Digital Spy has also reached out to Turner's representatives for comment.

Coco Van Oppens / Netflix

It follows controversy surrounding a pay disparity between The Crown co-stars Claire Foy and Matt Smith, after producers Left Bank Pictures claimed responsibility and apologised for paying Smith more in his role as Prince Philip than Foy in her role as Queen Elizabeth II.

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Foy has since called the pay gap 'embarrassing'.

Poldark is expected to air its fourth series soon. The drama has also been commissioned for a fifth run, so we'll have to see how the pay gap plays out going forward.